Nevins and Martel exchanged sour looks.
“We’ll go,” Nevins said at last. “But I’m worried just as much about our mage as I am about our coal.”
“He is not my department,” General Georgos said, waving away the issue with a stern hand. He rose from his chair. “You have your orders, gentlemen.” With a final, curt nod to the two airship captains, he strode out of the briefing room.
Martel and Nevins turned their attention to the fourth man in the room.
First minister Mannevy gave them both a languid look and said, “Has not mage Tirpin always managed to deliver on his promises?”
“Only halfway,” Nevin said.
“If there’s trouble —”
“I’m certain that the two of you can manage until the rest of the fleet joins you,” first minister Mannevy said, rising from his chair to end the conversation. “The flags and signals will be delivered to your ships — they should be there already.” He paused. “All it takes, gentlemen, is for you to seize the victory that will shortly be presented to you.” He smiled at them. “The King will be pleased to then grant you your just rewards.” He brushed past Nevins and nodded to Martel. “I await the news of your victory.” And, with that, he followed the general out of the room, leaving the two captains seated.
“It shouldn’t be that hard,” Captain Martel said with a wave of his hand to the other captain.
“Have you ever heard of a plan that worked?” Captain Nevins replied sourly.
“Not at first, perhaps, but with the two of us…” Captain Martel said with a half smile. He raised his cup to the other. “To success!”
Nevins glowered at him a moment, then raised his cup and clinked against the other’s.
“Success and damnation to Soria!” Nevins was pleased to see the Sorian turncoat pale at his words. He dropped his cup back on the table, pushed himself out of his chair and headed toward the door. “One way or the other, we’ve begun.”
#
“Very well, general, you have your orders,” King Markel said as he met the general at the train station with a steaming locomotive waiting anxiously for its departure. The station was to the north and west of Markel’s castle, far enough away that the journey was tiring but also far enough away that the king was not disturbed by the whistles of the locomotives at night. The station was finished with red brick and some utilitarian stone work. It looked brash and ugly to the king’s eyes. He didn’t complain: he’d been the one to fund the construction of the station and all the railway lines that connected it to the rest of his kingdom. Two only were finished, strategically — the one leading to South Pass and the other leading past Korin’s Pass. The two lines joining the south and east of his kingdom were being slowly constructed — more slowly now that much of the treasury was being used to support his army and navy.
“The navy supports us, Sire,” General Georgos agreed with a firm nod. “Admiral Iskin has been the sole of discretion and support.” He gestured toward the train. “This is the last of the troops to be sent to the Sea Pass. When we arrive we shall be prepared assault the Sea Pass from both the land and the sea as soon as we see the Sorians drawing off.”
Georgos commanded the left wing of the King’s Army: seven brigades of musketeers supported by two squadrons of horsemen. The right wing, tasked with taking Korin’s Pass, was lighter in numbers — only three brigades of musketeers supported the five assault squadrons of horsemen including the two squadrons under Colonel Walpish’s direct control. The general in charge of the right wing, General Tashigg, had been told by Georgos that he was to leave Walpish to his own devices and conform his actions to the colonel’s. General Tashigg was getting on in years and still visibly jerked when a musket was fired, so he was more than willing to obey Georgos’ order.
“Good,” the king agreed. “And when you have South Pass…?”
The general smiled. “By that time the bulk of our troops will already be marching from Korin’s Pass to trap King Wendel’s forces between us. We shall encircle them and force them to surrender.”
“And then Soria will be ours.”
“As you say, your majesty,” the general agreed. “With the enemy destroyed it will be a quick cavalry ride to reach, Sarlas, the capital and receive Wendel’s surrender.”
“Then I wish you fair travels and fair seas,” king Markel said, waving the general away. “I will see you in Sarlas!”
General Georgos saluted one more time, turned and strode briskly to the car at the head of the train.
“This had better work, Mannevy,” King Markel said to the first minister arrayed at his side. “We have emptied the treasury to build these railways and our airships.”
“As you say, sire,” Mannevy replied with a courteous bow.
The steam engine’s whistle blew and the train started slowly out of the station. Kingsland was going to war.
#
Little Ellen whimpered in her sleep. Rabel looked over to her, saw that she’d kicked off her blanket and put it back on her before turning from the room where the Zwerg had lodged her to begin his shift.
The girl had been a marvel: her abilities growing by leaps and bounds. She insisted on working as hard as Jarin or Rabel. Giving her the day shift had been Rabel’s solution — allowing her to sleep most of the night. Queen Diam had assigned her daughters to make sure that the young girl didn’t overwork herself. They were not as good at the task as Rabel would have hoped — Ellen had seen to that in the first few days by bribing each of them with the “loan” of a blue fire demon. The two were delighted by the brilliance of the little creatures who thrived in the dark underground caves of Zwerg and seemed to return the zwerg girls’ affection.
“How is she?” Ibb said in a low clank as Rabel joined him outside the room and they made their way to the underground forges.
“Sleeping.”
“Doesn’t she seem… thinner than she was?” Ibb said carefully.
Rabel sighed. “It’s all we can do to keep her fed.”
“She has an amazing amount of energy,” Ibb said. “I do not think that she was well-fed before which may explain why she is not gaining weight proportionate to her feeding.”
Rabel jerked his head to one side, negating the mechanical man’s observation. “She’s working too hard and I can’t stop her.”
“There’s been no word from the north,” Ibb said as they entered the huge hall that glowed with the bright heat of metal being poured into molds.
“We’re on our own,” Rabel agreed, pausing in his walk as a brilliant light flared in front of them. He nodded to the source of the flame, Jarin in his dragon form, melting a cradle of iron ore in an instant. “Not that we don’t have sufficient help.”
“He’s enjoying this,” Ibb said. His tone was wary.
“And?” Rabel prompted. “What aren’t you saying?”
“What happens when we’re done?”
Rabel shrugged.
“That’s the last of the melts,” Ibb said. “We’ve got the first eighteen magnets ready, with Jarin and the girl — and you — we should have the last eighteen done in a few days.”
“And the mining?”
“They’ll be ready for the magnets by then,” Ibb said. “What I don’t know is how to keep the magnets from pushing apart while we’re placing them.”
Rabel smiled and patted the metal man on the shoulder. “I have a plan.”
“Yes,” Ibb said, “you’ve told me so repeatedly.” The mechanical man rumbled unhappily. “What you haven’t said is what your plan entails.”
“What, where is that vaunted patience of yours?”
“I am patient when I know what is to come,” Ibb rumbled. “When the situation is… ‘in the air’, shall we say?... then I am not patient.”
Rabel snorted at the mechanical man’s witticism.
“Let’s get the
last of the magnets made, then we’ll talk.”
“Why is it, old friend, that I suspect you do not wish to tell me your plan until we’re committed?”
“Because I’m an old friend,” Rabel assured him smoothly.
Ibb rattled in response. “Time is of the essence,” he said finally. “There will be no time to make other plans.”
“I know,” Rabel agreed heavily. “But the fort will fly, as you no doubt have planned.”
“It was your plan.”
“Oh, yes,” Rabel agreed. “But you have been known to plant an idea or two in another’s mind and let them take credit for it.”
Ibb said nothing.
“Knowing you, this is part of a greater plan that you’ve been working on for a number of centuries,” Rabel said. “And if you will tell me nothing of your plans, I don’t see why I can’t let you have a taste of your own medicine.”
“I do not take medicine,” Ibb said.
“Except this time,” Rabel said, smirking.
#
“The excavation is complete,” Diam reported two days later. “All the magnets are made, tested and ready for transportation.”
“And the enemy is only one day from us,” Granno said. He gave Rabel a dark look. “It will take hours to place your magnets, more if we have to constantly fight to keep them from pushing each other away.”
“There must be some way to neutralize your magnets while we place them,” Diam said.
Rabel turned to Ibb. “Now I will tell you my plan.” He beckoned the mechanical to lean down so that he could put his lips near a metal ear and spoke quickly.
“WHAT?” Ibb bellowed when Rabel was done. “However did you think —”
“Can you do it or not?” Ellen asked, moving forward from her place by the two zwerg girls to stare challengingly up at the metal man.
“Do what?” Diam and Hamo Beck asked in unison.
“He will absorb the magnetic force into himself,” Ellen said. She held out her arms. “He will hold the north force in one hand and the south force in another.”
“This is madness,” Granno swore. “How can you separate the ends of a magnet?”
“Magic,” a new voice boomed up from the outskirts of the group. Everyone turned as a small form bustled forward into the light.
“Down,” Rabel said to Ellen, dropping to one knee. He turned to Jarin. “You, too.”
“What?” Jarin snapped. “I bow to no man.”
“He is not a man,” Rabel said, pointing a finger imperiously to the ground. Jarin’s eyes went wide and then he fell to his knees.
“Who —?” Granno demanded of the approaching figure only to stop as Diam thrust a hand to his arm.
The queen of the Silver Mountain Zwerg dropped to her knees and lowered her head. “Geros, god of the earth, I greet you!”
The small figure stopped, put his hands on his hips and glanced down at the young zwerg queen. Hearing her words, the rest of the zerg went to their knees before their god. Geros smiled at them all and chuckled loudly.
“Well met, well met!” his voice filled the cavern. “Rabel, fire-touched, I greet you!”
Rabel looked up and rose when the god gestured for him to rise.
“And Ibb — you should know that there are many who are looking for you,” Geros said to the mechanical man who had not bowed.
“Geros,” Ibb rumbled in his deep voice. He inclined his metal head just a touch. “It has been many a year.”
“It has,” Geros agreed. He moved forward, knelt in front of Ellen and reached a hand out to lift her chin up to meet his eyes. “Little one, I greet you.”
Ellen’s eyes bulged in her head and she gasped for air but could not form words.
“Great god of the earth, this little one is very tired,” Ibb said.
“I know,” Geros said, moving his hand to Ellen’s shoulder and somehow causing her to rise up with it. “I have watched you, little one.”
“Y-y-you —?” Ellen squeaked.
“You are very powerful, young one,” Geros told her. He glanced toward Diam and her two girls, gesturing with his eyes for them to rise. “And you are well-regarded by those I hold dear.”
“Th-th-thank —” Ellen could say no more. Released by the earth god’s gesture, Missy and Imay rushed over to either side of Ellen wrapping their arms around her and talking to her soothingly.
“Take a breath, fire-touched dragon-friend,” Geros said, with a nod toward Jarin who rose immediately and took a step closer to the girl. Geros raised a hand to show Jarin that he meant no harm. “And then explain how you will make earth fly.”
“It was my plan, god Geros,” Rabel said.
“I know,” Geros said with a swift nod. “But this is the one who must explain it.”
Rabel drew breath to reply but stopped, nodding in understanding.
“We’re going to use magnets,” Ellen said, finding her voice and her strength. “We’re going to use the power of their attraction against them and push the fort into the sky.”
“But?” Geros prompted.
“But we need to trap the magnetic forces while we place the magnets,” Ellen said. She glanced to Rabel, looking for approval but his face betrayed nothing. “So we’re going to put the forces into each hand of Ibb and have him put them back when we’ve got the metal plates in place.”
“And why am I here?” Geros prompted gently.
“Because, great god, you are the god of earth and this is a matter of the earth,” Ellen said. Her lips quirked. “And I don’t think we could do it on our own.”
Geros smiled at her and turned to Ibb. “This is a new thing for you, isn’t it, immortal one?”
“The girl or the magic?” Ibb asked.
“Both,” Geros laughed. He turned to Diam. “And what do the Zwerg get from all this?”
“Safety,” Diam said. “And knowledge.” She nodded to Rabel and Jarin. “We know more of making steel now than we ever did.”
“And?”
“And we’re going to show them that the earth can defend itself even from the air,” Diam replied.
Geros grinned. “Excellent!” He turned to Rabel. “So what is needed?”
“If you would consent to use your powers, great god, we could accomplish this and show the king Markel the error of his ways.”
“At least some of them,” Geros said, his lips pursed tightly. His eyes flashed and he bounced off the floor. “Very well! This will be fun!”
“It will!” Ellen agreed, rushing forward and grabbing the god around the waist, hugging him tight. All around her the others gasped in astonishment but Ellen didn’t hear them at all, babbling excitedly, “Thank you, thank you! I just knew you’d agree!”
Arms like rock patted lightly on the back and then pushed her away. Geros glanced down at her. “And you’re ready to pay the price?”
Ellen’s expression fell. “I’m sworn to Ophidian.”
“That’s not at issue,” Geros told her.
“We promised Ophidian that we’d help here,” Ellen said, her eyes troubled. She glanced over her shoulder toward Rabel and then back to the god of the earth. “What do you wish, god Geros?”
“A favor for a favor,” Geros replied. “Today the Zwerg help you. When the time comes, you help them.”
“That’s fair,” Ellen said. She dropped to one knee and looked up at the earth god. “This I swear: to repay your kindness as you request with regards to my previous oaths.”
Geros grunted in agreement. “One can’t ask for more.”
“And get away with it,” Ophidian’s voice came from behind Ellen.
Geros raised his eyes and nodded to the dragon-god. “We are in accord, then.”
“The oath binds them to me,” Ophidian said. “Her oath binds all three to you.”
Geros smiled. “Of course.”
“So you agree to train them in exchange for their training your people.”
“What? You want an earth god’s training for the fire-touched?”
“And why not? Is not fire-hot lava one of your creations?”
“Hmm,” Geros said. He gave Ophidian a probing look before dropping his eyes back to Rabel, Jarin, and, finally, Ellen. Then he glanced to Ibb. “And what of the metal man?”
Ophidian laughed. “He is not sworn to me.”
“I make no oaths to the gods,” Ibb said in a deep, uncompromising tone. “But you know me of old; I seek no quarrel with you.”
“Good enough,” Geros rumbled in agreement, his voice coming out lower than Ibb’s, rumbling as though it were the very earth speaking. Which, of course, it was.
“Ophidian,” Rabel said, turning to the dragon-god. “What of my daughter?”
“What of Wymarc?” Jarin demanded.
“And Captain Ford, how is he?” Ellen added.
“My wyvern daughter and your daughter are alive,” Ophidian replied, nodding to Jarin and Rabel in turn.
“And the captain?”
“What do you know of the captain, child?” Ophidian asked, his tone strained.
“He saved me,” Ellen said, thrusting her jaw out emphatically. “When I was starving and cold, he gave me a copper to spy on Ibb and Rabel —”
“And that saved you?” Ophidian interrupted.
“It did,” Ellen replied with a firm nod, her dark eyes flashing. “If it weren’t for him and his demons —”
“Show me these demons,” Ophidian demanded.
Ellen’s eyes grew wide and she shook her head. “I can’t.”
“What?” the dragon-god demanded.
“I-I lent two of them out,” Ellen stammered. “One to Imay and one to Missy, the queen’s daughters.”
“You lent them,” Ophidian repeated slowly. His brows furrowed a deep groove in his face. “Were there not three?”
“How did you know?” Ellen asked in surprise.
“I’ve met your captain,” Ophidian said. “He struck me as a prudent person.” He gestured toward her chest. “The third?”
Twin Soul Series Omnibus 2: Books 6-10 Page 20